UAAP: UST rewrites history vs La Salle; UP steadies ship with first win

The UAAP men’s basketball spotlight this weekend belonged to two teams with different battles to fight — University of Santo Tomas chasing redemption against an old tormentor, and University of the Philippines desperately seeking to save its title defense.

On Saturday night, the Growling Tigers roared louder than ever, finally snapping a decade-long drought against De La Salle University with a thrilling 93-84 triumph at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It was the España-based squad’s first victory over the Green Archers since 2015, ending a 16-game skid that had long been a sore reminder of their struggles.

Nic Cabañero once again played the role of gunslinger, torching La Salle’s defense for 27 points while hauling down six rebounds. Collins Akowe supplied the inside muscle, Amiel Acido gave UST momentum with two big threes in the second half, while returnee Forthsky Padrigao orchestrated UST’s offense with near-flawless poise.

What made the win sweeter was how UST closed it out. Protecting a fragile three-point lead with just over three minutes left, the Tigers launched a decisive 8-0 run that sealed the deal and sent the black-and-gold crowd into a frenzy. For a program still clawing its way back into contention, this wasn’t just a win — it was a statement that the Tigers are back in the fight.

La Salle, meanwhile, struggled to match UST’s late surge. Jacob Cortez, their early spark, went cold when it mattered most, finishing with 17 points as the Archers dropped to 1-1.

If Saturday was UST’s night of breaking curses, Sunday turned into UP’s moment of relief. After stumbling out of the gates with consecutive defeats, the Fighting Maroons finally put themselves on the board with a resounding 92-75 beatdown of the University of the East.

Against his former team, guard Rey Remogat wasted no time showing why UP fought hard to recruit him. 

He erupted for 18 first-half points — most of them coming from deep — before finishing with 21 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in a commanding all-around performance. His hot start buried the Red Warriors early, as UP entered halftime with a 17-point cushion they never surrendered.

The frontcourt duo of Sean Nnoruka and Gani Stevens added balance, both tallying double-doubles that gave the Maroons the paint presence they had been missing in their earlier defeats.

For UE, it was another night of heartbreak as their losing streak stretched to nine games dating back to last season.

 Precious Momowei and Wello Linglingo tried to keep them afloat with matching 18-point efforts, but turnovers and cold stretches proved too costly.

With the win, UP steadied a shaky title defense and regained confidence heading into a crucial clash with National University this Saturday. UST, on the other hand, carries the glow of its historic triumph back home to the Quadricentennial Pavilion, where the Tigers will test their newfound momentum also against the Bulldogs a few days before on Wednesday.

Two teams, two different battles — one breaking a curse, the other breaking free from doubt. For UST and UP, this UAAP weekend was proof that history can be rewritten, and seasons can be salvaged.

Scores: 

UST (93) – Cabañero 27, Akowe 20, Acido 13, Padrigao 12, Paranada 9, Crisostomo 5, Llemit 3, Danting 2, Laure 2, Calum 0, Bucsit 0, Estacio 0.

DLSU (84) – Cortez 17, Abadam 11, Baclaan 9, Amos 9, Marasigan 9, Phillips 8, Dungo 6, Pablo 4, Gollena 4, Gomez 4, Daep 3, Nwankwo 0.

UP (92) – Remogat 21, Nnoruka 14, Stevens 14, Abadiano 11, Palanca 8, Bayla 7, Belmonte 6, Felicilda 3, Alarcon 2, Torres 2, Andres 2, Briones 2, Fortea 0, Alter 0, Coronel 0, Yniguez 0.

UE (75) – Momowei 18, Lingolingo 18, Abate 15, Jimenez 10, Datumalim 5, Mulingtapang 3, Tañedo 2, Caoile 2, Robles 2, Cruz-Dumont 0, Lagat 0, Malaga 0.

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